Dearborn MI vs Roanoke VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Dearborn +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 98,677 | Dearborn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 38.0 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 7.5% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 57.5% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $52,671 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 28.9% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $279,668 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 51.7% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 41.9% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.9% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.0% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 56.0°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 44.5 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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